Sport Crabbing 2007 area 8-1

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 4:41 pm

I just wanted to put this out there. Has anyone noticed that the last two years, crabbing in area 8-1 and other areas of the sound have been absolutely terrible? Last year tribal crabbers were allowed to crab this area for three weeks before the season opened to the public. It took several hours if not all day just to harvest a limit of keepers. The 9 years prior to last year, the season for tribal crabbers opened at the same time it did for the rest of us and it was great crabbing for all, and the size for males was often 7+ inches across. I emailed Dr Jeff Koenings last year about this and he told me he is the one who sets the seasons up for tribes and commercial crabbers but that he felt it was a stretch to say the limited male crab was the result of tribal crabbing before the sport season opened. He is so wrong!

Folks, we need to communicate this issue of tribal crabbing weeks before the sport season to someone who can get this fixed. I'm not sure who that is. If any of you know who we should mail a complaint letter to, please reply.

Today I spoke to a Whidbey Island resident who lives right on the beach in some prime crabbing grounds just north of Greenbank. He told me the Tulalip Tribes have been crabbing the last 38 days ending on July 3rd at 6pm. How is that for taking the majority of the crab bjust hours efore the rest of us sport fishermen and women get a chance at a few for our family’s enjoyment. It’s a joke. Thanks all.

tommonroe · Post by **tommonroe** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 10:27 am

It is the same in area 8-2. The tribe was out until late on July 3rd. My wife and I went out on the 6th for over 2 hours with 2 rings and 2 pots out and did not get one keeper.

aharrison · Post by **aharrison** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 12:46 pm

I too have noticed that the crabbing is realy bad in area 8-1. The tribal crabbers are cleaning out the legal keepers and leaving us with only small males and females.

Drewp · Post by **Drewp** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:38 am

Went out Saturday in 8-2 and got limits for 3 people in about 7 hours, plus a Red Rock to boot. Guess you gotta find the right spots!

Post by **Bodofish** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 12:03 pm

Our family has a place on Camano and it's been going down hill for a few years with the tribes being able to rape the bottom of legal crab. I set the pots on July 4th at 7:00am per regs. I normally have to pick and choose the keepers. Went out at high tide and picked them. Out of 4 pots I had 1 male that was a keeper. Re baited and dropped 'em down again. Next day 2 keepers.

I did notice boats working in teams to block the view from shore. I strongly believe there was a lot of "extra" pot checking going on. Mine had moved a substantial amount during the day. Guess I'll have to sit out there and guard the pots. Doesn't make for a very nice day. The sheriff finally showed up about 6:30 and made a run around the bay. all the boats scattered. They came back later after dark, you could see the nav and spotlights. Not good.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:05 pm

Thanks to all who replied. 3 limits in 7 hours is poor. Prior to the Tribes taking every male on the sound floor a month before it opens for the sport crabber, it was 3 limits of large males in one hour PER POT! We went out on July 20th and in 6 hours took 9 Dungeness and one large red rock. I'm here to tell you that is pooooooor crabbing! We need to complain to the media. I have sent in two emails to the Everett Herald with no luck and last year I emailed WDFW Director Jeff Koenings who replied back twice saying it wasn't the Tribes fault for the poor numbers of males. Anyway, Thanks to all of you who replied. If anyone gets through to the media, please let me know. My email is presshard4copies@hotmail.com. Thanks again...

shawn · Post by **shawn** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:48 am

Blame the Judge Boldt descion.Google Judge Boldt descion.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 12:22 pm

Hey Shawn, thanks for the info. I read the Boldt Decision from 1974. It didn't mention crab but specifically states that tribes are entitled to half the salmon. Heck I don’t know, maybe it applies to crab as well. Half is one thing but go crabbing on opening day when there should be abundant numbers of male keepers for everyone and we all quickly discover that half is not being taken. Nearly ALL are taken, two years in a row, and before the season opens for the sport fisherman. I would love to see the State of WA actually enforce the “half” or 50% Boldt decision. I realize that the tribes are entitled to their fair share of salmon and that’s all fine and dandy, but they are not entitled to take it all or over limit. I find it hard to believe that the State of WA is out there weighing the tribes every catch both salmon and crab to insure that they take only 50%. It’s my guess that the State of WA gets a percentage of the money the tribes earn when selling their crab catch to the public via stores and restaurants. For years and years we have all been hearing about how our salmon populations are dwindling. I wonder why? I am not anti tribes and I am all for everyone being allowed a fair number of crab to harvest. My issue is with the State allowing the tribes to harvest crab before the season opens to the rest of us. Thanks again Shawn.

Northwest Fishing Reports

Sport Crabbing 2007 area 8-1

Sport Crabbing 2007 area 8-1

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